| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: A distinct subgroup of adolescents, very young adolescents (VYA) aged 10 to 14
are going through one of the most important life transformations. For adolescents to develop the
healthy behaviors that can influence their present and future health, well-being, and ability to avert
hazards like early, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted illnesses, and gender-based
violence, they require knowledge, skills, and social support. Save the Children, in collaboration
with the Malawian government through the Ministries of Health and Education, developed puberty
workbooks to be used with in- and out-of-school youth to complement life skills education.
Methodology: This research assessed the impact of the puberty books on VYA's knowledge and
attitudes toward puberty and the associated physical changes and their level of confidence to
manage the changes in Blantyre urban schools. A pre and post exposure study design was used
among VYA in 10 sampled schools. The study used McNemar’s exact test for matched pairs to
test the observed difference in the outcomes before and after reading the puberty book. Ethical
clearance was obtained. Assent was acquired from caregivers and consent from the VYA. | en_US |
